Nick Kahl has announced that he is running for State Representative in House District 49. The seat is currently held by Rep. Karen Minnis who is retiring, and is located in East County, including Fairview, Wood Village, and parts of Troutdale and Gresham (map).

The people of District 49 are not getting the representation they deserve. Children struggle to reach educational requirements in overcrowded classrooms. Families fear the crippling economic effects that one injury or ailment can bring. Communities are burdened with deteriorating roads, bridges, and freeways; this neglect prevents new jobs from flowing into our community and often costs us the ones we already have. All the while, corporations are rewarded with a ten-dollar corporate minimum tax, allowing them to reap great rewards from our strained resources.

You have been working hard, doing your part. Now is the time for new leadership who can meet your hard work in our community with hard work in Salem. Nick Kahl is the right person for the job. As your representative, Nick Kahl will fight to reduce classroom sizes, expand access to healthcare, bring jobs to our community, and make corporations pay their fair share. Now is time for change to work for the people of District 49, not against them.

Nick is a former staff assistant to Multnomah County Commissioner Jeff Cogen, and formerly worked at the Serendipity Center, a nonprofit school for at-risk students in Southeast Portland. He will be hold an event this Saturday, October 13 at 1pm in Park Place Coffee (1288 SE 182nd) to kick off his campaign.

Comments

I am glad Nick is finally in the race! I go to law school with Nick, and I am always surprised at his ability to get things done quickly. When others won't take on a task because it's due tomorrow, Nick takes it on and goes for it. Working with Nick last year during the election and this year with organization of the Law School Democrats has taught me that Nick is a reliable guy, and will be a great candidate for East County.

I have come to know Nick on a personal level over the last couple of years and I have been very impressed with him. He has a wide variety of interests, though political causes seem to be one of his primary loves (one of the first times we talked was a discussion covering a good portion of the current progressive agenda and I was very impressed with his knowledge of both local and national politics). Nick is also one of those people who other people simply seem to like - I have never heard a bad word said about him and he is friendly with just about everyone he meets. As someone raised in Oregon, I would be proud to be represented by Nick and I think he is exactly the kind of person we want in office. I know with his strong connection to the people and ideals of Oregon he would be a heck of an asset in the House.

Nick Kahl is an intelligent and hardworking young candidate who will bring some much-needed integrity and professionalism to the position. I know him personally and have worked with him professionally, and I cannot recommend him highly enough. He has my firm and rousing endorsement.

Nick Kahl is a solid democrat and will bring great change to Disrtrict 49. Nick has a strong record of involvement in the party. Nick pushed the development of policy working for County Commissioner, took responsibility as secretary for the Multnomah Democrats, and has worked to increase the political involvement at Lewis & Clark law school.

Nick is smart, hardworking, and politically savy. I am glad that he is now in the race and I look forward to District 49 being in Democratic hands. As a friend and fellow democrat I wholeheartedly endorse Nick Kahl for District 49.

It's about time that Karen Minnis stepped down, Woodburn needs real leadership. And Nick Kahl is a great candidate to do it. I first met Nick when he helped the Lewis & Clark staff union when they when in negotiations. He stood up for those workers by getting over a quarter of the Law School to sign a petition in support of the union. In 2009, Nick will be able to stand up for workers all over Oregon.

I had the privilege of meeting Nick this weekend. He's young and vibrant, not to mention professional and intelligent. He had a great first impression on me, and is certainly one of the most impressive Democrats running for State House.

Nick Kahl is bright, energetic, hardworking, and determined to do good work. I believe that Nick will listen to the people of his district and work hard to respond to their needs. Not only is Nick a political wonk, he is also a real person. Nick is dedicated to his district and would be an excellent addition to Oregon politics.

I don't know Nick, but it's great to read that what apparently is a great progressive Dem with local ties will be competing for that district.

However, I vaguely recall another person running for that seat as a Dem, presumably someone who might also deserve our support --- this post would be a lot more useful if that information were mentioned too.

In the Gresham Outlook, she actually praised Karen Minnis: “Karen’s been very strong and represented the needs of East County very well,” she said. “I’m concerned with who’s going to watch out for East County.”

Okay, it looks like we may have a contested and perhaps heated primary, as Barbara Kyle appears to "lean conservative" (her words) and have the backing of the party (!) (" [the] Democratic Party asked me to run for HD 49.").

I met Nick one time and was impressed as well by his candor and enthusiasm for Oregon politics.

A couple things to set straight on this post:

First of all, Matt, HD 49 means Wood Village, not Woodburn. Betty Komp is running for re-election to serve Woodburn in HD 22. (It's sort of confusing, I admit).

Secondly, I don't see why praising Karen Minnis can be a bad thing if Kyle's setting up for the general election. She lost the speakership, she's not running again, but she did win the majority of votes for HD 49 quite a few times. It might help bring moderates behind her candidacy if she's willing to break partisanship.

Certainly in a Democratic primary, though, praising Minnis isn't the best talking point.

I had the pleasure of attending high school with Nick and then hire him to work with me for, I think, the only year he has ever lived outside of Oregon. As I expected when I brought in to assist me in managing and growing my personnel firm in Santa Fe, I found him always to be a man of integrity and straight-up honesty in all of his dealings with and interviews of employees and applicants. I had no idea, however, and was pleasantly surprised by his strong mind for business.

I grew up in Southeast Portland, and my parents and sister still live there. I would rather have the safety and future of their community invested with Nick than anyone else known to me.

i'm certainly impressed by the long list of personal references from people what know Nick. either he is that well-beloved to engender all these spontaneous outbursts of affection; or he's got the right kind of political smarts to get these personal endorsements lined up -- and delivered. either one works for me, and i'm looking forward to learning more about Nick. hopefully he's from the Brian Clem school of bright, young Dems. (and since he's not actually a lawyer yet, he's still pure.)

Nick Kahl is a really wonderful guy and I'm so glad to see that he's running for this seat in the House. He will do a great job standing up for the voters and looking out for their best interest. I worked very closely with him in Commissioner Jeff Cogen's office and I was always impressed by his smarts, his communication skills, and his knack for making quick friends. GO NICK!

I am excited that Nick Kahl is running for the District 49 seat. I think right now in the political landscape is the perfect time for Democrats to support a new, up-and-coming candidate. I have been impressed not only with Nick's dedication to Oregon and public service, but even more importantly to his openness to creative solutions to the political and social challenges we face.

As D's we have the opportunity right now to support candidates that are fresh and exciting - not the same old, same old (or ones that actually do support the past Republican leadership, if that is the case). I think Nick is just that opportunity for District 49.

Nick is bright, energetic and knows how to make things happen. His work in my office was exceptional. He understands East County and is passionate about bringing progressive change to Oregon. I think Nick is exactly the sort of leader we need in Salem, and I'm thrilled he's thrown his hat into the ring to replace Karen Minnis.

I have had the opportunity to serve on a couple of different boards with Nick and am excited to see him make a run for elected office. In a district long "represented" by the likes of Cruella De Vil, Nick would be a welcome change. For lefties tired of milk-toast, play it safe Democrats who fear taking tough positions Nick is a welcome breath of fresh air. Salem had better prepare itself for someone willing to mix things up and provide a true voice for progressive Democrats!

To me, Nick's biggest asset hands down is his love for and understanding of the people and places in oft neglected East County. This guy has lived and worked his whole life side by side with the voters in 49. He knows their issues because he's experienced them. He has the creativity and passion to bring home solutions. I doubt that any other candidate (Republican or Democrat) can bring that kind of depth of understanding to the table. Go Nick!

How do you call yourself a Democrat and praise Karen Minnis at the same time? It's a primary people! I sure as heck hope the Ds in what I like to call Brading's district raise hell over this.
Nick's a great guy and has lived in the area his entire life. I've known his family since I was girl and they are WONDERFUL people.
Give 'em hell Nick!

I also don't know what she means by "the Democratic Party asked me to run." That's the sort of statement that would be checked out before being reported if we had journalists in this town.
Sue Hagmeier
Communications Secretary
Multnomah County Democrats

Barbara Kyle is a two-term Troutdale City Councilor, a realtor, chamber of commerce board member, and long-time community leader. Her husband works at east county's Boeing plant and is a member of the Machinists Union. Barbara has a record of electoral success in the most conservative part of HD 49. She can win back this seat.

The most important goal here should not be some Democratic purity test, but putting this seat back in the "D" column.

I'm sorry, but that's not enough. Her praising Minnis was just wrong. Minnis never represented this district - she represented those who gave her money.

She can't even be bothered to send a response back to her constituents when they write, e-mail, or call.

When the Dem in question is praising the Republican legislator who was a disaster in the legislature and failed her district, I think a Democratic purity test is perfectly fine. Especially when we're talking about a primary.

I'm sorry, but Barbara Kyle does not have my vote. I'll be voting for Nick.

I agree that Karen Minnis did a terrible job, but it was her leadership and her votes that were way off track. She actually did bring home the bacon for East County, which I think is what Barb Kyle was referencing.

Barb Kyle has a proven record of beating Republicans and standing up for Democratic values. That's why we need her in Salem.

Actually, I did quite a bit of research on her votes and such. She did not "bring home the bacon" for east county. Her name was on very few of the votes that came up for east county. It was Laurie Monnes Anderson who was down in Salem working hard for east county.

Nick is a tireless worker for Democratic causes. His love and passion for his home district, HD 49, will win him the election and the responsibility to represent his neighbors, friends and family in Salem. Good luck Nick and I look forward to canvassing for you during the coming election.

It should be an interesting matchup between Barbara Kyle and Nick Kahl on the Democrat side for HD49. I'm Republican, and would like to see who comes out of the primaries on my side of the political fence. Although I serve with Councilor Kyle on the Troutdale City Council and think highly of her, it doesn't guarantee my support for her in the general election. It's too early in the election season to make that decision.

Having said that, I've never met Nick Kahl. From his bio, he seems like a decent candidate. His web site says he cares about east Multnomah County and House District 49.

I noticed, however, that he's not kicking off his campaign in the House district he's running for. The location for his campaign kickoff will be held at 1288 SE 182nd Ave, the Rockwood area in Portland. Unless I'm mistaken, the coffeehouse at that address isn't even in HD49. Barely outside the boundaries, granted. But symbolically speaking, it speaks volumes. Does a candidate who cares about the House district he's running for hold his kickoff outside the district?

We're pretty open minded in HD49 and aren't in lockstep with any particular political party. It should be an interesting contest.

Can I be unbiased about Nick? Well, no. I think he's smart, researched, charismatic, and a workhorse. I don't live in the area he's running in, but I know he'll play nice with other legislators, including my own, Tina Kotek. He's exactly what our state needs: Some one who runs for office for the good of the community he lives in, not to advance agendas. He's a representative of the people, he's not an island on to his own. Most importantly, Nick wants to sleep at night, not sell his soul to get elected which speaks volumes for his character.

I want to support him any way I can; I won't hold the fact that he doesn't like eggs against him.

It is indeed slightly outside the district - it's in Gresham's other house district, HD 50.

It's just that much of that area has a Portland mailing address because our post office is more suited to a town of 24,000, not 97,000 (it's approximately the same size as the one I saw in Redmond). So large chunks of town are served by Portland post offices, and therefore have Portland addresses.

I asked myself the same question. What about Rob Brading? My opinion: the 2006 HD 49 race between Minnis and Brading was so personally scorching, and so ugly on both sides, perhaps both were scorched and shell shocked too much to commit to another campaign.

This was one of the ugliest campaigns in Oregon history, driven primarily by out of state money on both sides. For the sake of Troutdale, Wood Village, Fairview and Gresham residents, I hope the 2008 HD49 race maintains a higher plane of civility and local control.

This was one of the ugliest campaigns in Oregon history, driven primarily by out of state money on both sides.

Actually, that's not true. It's true of Minnis' campaign, but not Brading's.

Just to prove it, I just went through a hundred or so pages of C&E reports from the campaign for last year. I counted 10 contributions from someone outside of Oregon or Washington. There was probably another 10 or so from people in Washington. None of this equaled more than a few thousand dollars - I doubt the ones I saw even added up to $10K. Future PAC alone contributed more than $150K in money and in-kind items/services.

It was real obvious after going through a few C&E reports that his campaign was almost entirely funded from in-state contributors. A lot of them lived in the same county (Multnomah), with a good amount coming from within the district.

I remember looking at Minnis' filings once and only found about $15K in in-district contributions, and $10K of that was from one developer.

I'd heard that Brading just doesn't have the time needed right now to run for any office.

Though I do not live in Kahl's district, I wanted to add my two cents in here:

Native Oregonians are constantly rattling the saber of suspicion when it comes to ‘transplants’ coming in to 'carpetbag' elections. There are a lot of things that might be accurate criticisms of Kahl-- he's young, he's newer to politics than Kyle. (Incidentally, I don't find other one of these points a drawback, but I know some will.)

But you cannot assert that Kahl doesn't know Oregon or Oregon politics. Kahl has spent his entire life in this area, from childhood all the way through his current forays into legal education, and he's never once left the home he loves. In that respect, Kyle has nothing on Kahl. You want to know what it is like to go to school, K through grad school, in the metro area? Kahl can tell you all about it. Want to know how district 49 has changed in the last twenty years? Kahl has lived it every bit as much as Kyle has; those roads are where he learned to ride a bike, drive a car.

To say that he is merely "a nice young man" is to belittle the energy, life experience, and commitment Kahl has for his district and for Oregon. In a modern age that sees so many young people pick up and move from place to place chasing opportunity with little regard for the people, land, or politics of where reside at any given moment, Kahl is a homegrown talent who genuinely cares and wants to help those in his community. And I don’t think you can overestimate the value of that sort of commitment.

I'd also caution today’s naysayers on beating down smart, capable, politically engaged 'young' people who love your district and Oregon and who are willing to submit to the rigorous demands and fishbowl lifestyle of modern politics. When you do, you're demeaning the leaders of your community not just for today, but for many years to come.

I see a lot of people commenting here who live in liberal Portland (and therefore can't even vote in HD 49).

Most of the East County folks who are commenting here seem to understand that we need someone like Barb Kyle (well known, elected official, moderate, from Troutdale) as our Democratic nominee to win back this seat.

And no, I don't see that we need a person like Barb Kyle. Yes, 20 years of a Minnis was enough. Thankfully, we won't be having another Minnis since Karen isn't running again.

But the last thing we need is someone who praises Minnis in the legislature.

Also, please remember that a large portion of Gresham, especially the Rockwood area, has a Portland mailing address. However, they are within the city of Gresham. This is because our post office is not big enough to handle the entire city, so parts of the city are handled by a Portland Post Office.

I looked at Nick's voter registration. I'm not going to give you his exact address on here, but he lives in an area bordered by Glisan to the North, Burnside to the South, 181st to the east, and 176th to the west. In that part of the city, the Gresham city limits are just west of 162nd. That means his address is within the CITY OF GRESHAM.

Also, unless the HD 49 and cities maps at the Multnomah County Elections Division is incorrect, no part of HD 49 is within the city limits of Portland. The two maps clearly show that the precincts in HD 49 begins on the other side of the city limit. A precinct can only include parts of 1 city or an area that is unincorporated - it cannot include more than one city inside the precinct.

First, let me get this out of the way: I am Nick's uncle. I am, and have always been, a registered Republican. I do not vote the party line, am moderate in my biases, was raised in East County, and even ran against Karen Minnis's husband, John, in the Republican primary many years ago.

I find it telling that those who would retread old, tired perspectives, and pass them on as qualified replacements for legitimate strategy, would hide behind the mask of anonymity. Furthermore, to underestimate what it would take to appeal to the Republican base, in order to get elected, smatters of simplistic, uncreative, unrealistic, sound bite orientation. Is the object to win an election or to represent the District? Is the objective short term gain over long term loss? What good does it do to put someone in office, who is not defining the issues, but is merely responding to them? "Anon" -- Is this dialogue or subterfuge?

When running for school board in Reynolds, I was asked how to address the issue of school support from a resident base that had no children in school. Answer: tell them the truth -- the bill can be paid as an investment, now, or later, as an expense. The cynical response of those who doled out endorsements was that the voters, ultimately, could not handle the truth. We have seen the cost of that shortsightedness in crime and insurance statistics. We have seen the results in a dumbed down electoral process. We see it in the cynical nitpicking of those like Anonymous.

Our family has lived in East County since 1959. We are a connected family, extending throughout David Douglas, Centennial, Barlow, Parkrose, Reynolds, Gresham, etc. We see common problems, which do not stop at street boundaries. We see the results of dumbed down pragmatism, representing money interests before people interests.

These interests require vision, energy, intelligence, and ethical principles to address the festering environment created by the fossilized remains of conventional, political machinations. Nick is connected, deeply, to his community. He is clear, methodical, engaging, and unencumbered by the muddled thinking of the status quo. He is young, but he exhibits wisdom.

Having said this, what does Barbara Kyle offer, tangibly, as an answer?

To the Oregon Legislature:

Enough is enough. Twice in two years, reasonable gun safety proposals have not even received a vote in the Oregon Legislature. No solution is perfect, but we must act now to save lives. We ask you to commit now to passing reasonable gun safety laws at your next opportunity.

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To the Oregon Legislature:

Enough is enough. Twice in two years, reasonable gun safety proposals have not even received a vote in the Oregon Legislature. No solution is perfect, but we must act now to save lives. We ask you to commit now to passing reasonable gun safety laws at your next opportunity.

First Name*

Last Name*

Email Address*

Zip Code*

This petition sponsored by BlueOregon and Oregon NOW. By signing, you agree to receive email updates from BlueOregon and Oregon NOW about this petition and other critical issues. (You may always unsubscribe, of course.) Learn more.